Co-op games live or die by how well they bring two people together. Some make it easy with simple mechanics and forgiving challenges. Others demand precise coordination, turning every level into a test of patience. Split Fiction falls somewhere in between. It pushes co-op gameplay to its limits, forcing both players to think, communicate, and adapt constantly.
I played Split Fiction with my daughter, which was equal parts fun and a lesson in teamwork. She’s got quick reflexes and a habit of running ahead, while I prefer to take my time and figure things out. That difference became clear when she was zipping through a sci-fi city while I was still trying to master wall-running. More than once, she had to double back to pull me through a tricky platforming section. By the time we reached the first major puzzle—where one of us had to flip gravity while the other swung across gaps—we were fully in sync. Or at least close enough that we weren’t yelling instructions at each other anymore.
That’s what Split Fiction does well. Like It Takes Two before it, it constantly shifts gameplay, introducing new ideas in every level. Whether you’re fighting off robotic enforcers in a neon-soaked dystopia or helping a village of talking mushrooms fend off an invasion, there’s always something different waiting around the corner. But does all that ambition come together into something great, or does Split Fiction lose its way trying to do too much?
Split Fiction details
Platform(s): PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC
Developer(s): Hazelight Studios
Publisher(s): Electronic Arts
Genre: Co-op Action Adventure
Modes: Multiplayer
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
A tale of two writers
Mio and Zoe just wanted to publish their books. Instead, they walked into a corporate scheme that hijacked their stories and trapped them inside a machine. Mio, a sci-fi writer, prefers cold logic and futuristic dystopias. Zoe, a fantasy writer, believes in magic, adventure, and happy endings. Neither expected to be running for their lives through their own creations. One minute, they’re dodging laser blasts in a cyberpunk city. Then next, they’re riding a dragon through an enchanted valley. The game never settles into one style for long, which makes every new chapter feel like a new start.
A weak villain in a strong story
Mio and Zoe’s relationship carries the story, and it works because they’re different without being total opposites. Mio questions everything, sometimes to the point of overthinking. Zoe trusts her gut, which sometimes gets them into trouble. At first, they clash, but as they push through each chaotic scenario, you start to see them change. They don’t just get along because the plot says so—it feels earned.
The weak link in all this? James Rader, the game’s villain. He’s the CEO behind the story machine, but his entire plan boils down to stealing book ideas for profit. That’s it. He never feels like a real threat, just a corporate suit who shows up occasionally to remind you he exists. Meanwhile, the villains inside Mio and Zoe’s stories—cybernetic warlords, fantasy tyrants, and rogue AIs—are far more interesting. It’s hard not to wonder why the game didn’t just focus on them instead.
Despite Rader’s lack of presence, Split Fiction still delivers a fun, unpredictable adventure. The mix of sci-fi and fantasy keeps things exciting, and Mio and Zoe’s dynamic makes it easy to stay invested. Though, I can’t help wonder, if the main villain had been as interesting as everything else, the story would’ve had even more weight behind it.
Chaos, coordination, and constant surprises
Co-op games have a way of showing how well two people actually work together. Split Fiction is no exception. At its best, it makes you feel like an unstoppable duo, pulling off perfectly timed moves and solving puzzles like you share a brain. At its worst, it turns into a full-blown test of patience. I learned this firsthand while playing with my daughter. She had zero hesitation, always running ahead, activating switches, and leaving me scrambling to keep up. One section had us controlling gravity—she had to flip platforms while I jumped between them. It took about five tries before we stopped yelling “Wait, not yet!” at each other. When we finally nailed it, though, it felt great.
Variety keeps it feeling fresh—mostly
That’s the magic of Split Fiction. Every level throws something new at you. The game never settles into one type of gameplay for long. One minute, you’re wall-running across neon skyscrapers, slicing through robotic enemies with a katana. Then next, you’re guiding a giant snail through a puzzle-filled fantasy swamp. Some levels lean into platforming, others focus on combat, and some turn into full-blown mini-games. There’s even a section where one of you gets launched around like a pinball while the other controls the flippers. It’s silly, but it works.
The variety keeps things fresh, but not every gameplay mechanic is a winner. A few sequences drag on longer than they need to, and some gameplay mechanics don’t work as well as others. One flying section felt more like fighting the controls than enjoying the level. Just when a section starts dragging on too long, the game throws another curveball, and suddenly you’re onto something completely different.
Communication is everything
The game also forces you to communicate. Many sections require precise timing, like one player controlling moving platforms while the other jumps. If you don’t talk things through, you’re in for a lot of unnecessary deaths. There were multiple times where my daughter and I had completely different plans, leading to some hilarious failures. She’d activate something too soon, I’d mistime a jump, and suddenly we were both yelling, “That was your fault!” Moments like these are frustrating in the best way—when you finally get it right, the payoff feels earned.
Split Fiction is the kind of game that constantly reinvents itself, and for the most part, it pulls it off. A few rough patches aside, the variety, challenge, and co-op design make for an experience that’s both chaotic and rewarding. Just make sure you and whoever you are playing with are ready for a little friendly frustration along the way.
A Tale of Two Styles
Split Fiction throws you between two completely different visual styles, and both look incredible. Mio’s sci-fi worlds are all sleek metal, neon lights, and endless rain-soaked cities, while Zoe’s fantasy landscapes are bright, colourful, and packed with details straight out of a storybook. The contrast between them makes every new level feel new, and the constant shifts between the two keep the game from ever looking repetitive.
Strong animations and voice performances
Animations are just as impressive. Whether it’s Mio’s sword swings or Zoe’s exaggerated, bouncy movements, every action feels like it fits the character. Cutscenes have a lot of personality too—Mio’s skeptical eye-rolls and Zoe’s over-the-top excitement tell you exactly what they’re thinking without needing a word of dialogue. The voice acting helps sell their dynamic even more. Both leads do a great job making their personalities feel natural, and even the side characters have some solid performances. Unfortunately, James Rader—the villain—doesn’t have much to work with. He’s just sort of there, delivering every corporate villain cliché like he’s reading off a checklist.
Music and sound design that fit the moment
Music shifts with the setting, blending sci-fi synth tracks with grand orchestral fantasy pieces. The soundtrack isn’t the kind that will stick with you long after the game is over, but it fits the moment well. Sound effects add a lot, too—clanging metal footsteps in the sci-fi levels, soft crunches of dirt in the fantasy ones, and a satisfying thunk when Mio’s sword lands a hit.
A few camera struggles
Visually, Split Fiction is polished, but the camera sometimes struggles to keep up. Since the game is constantly throwing new mechanics at you, there are moments where the fixed angles don’t fully cooperate, especially during fast-paced platforming sections. This wasn’t a constant issue, but when it happened, it made certain jumps way harder than they should’ve been. In a game that requires so much coordination, any camera hiccup feels extra frustrating.
A stunning adventure with minor hiccups
Still, those moments don’t take away from how great the game looks and sounds overall. Whether you’re slicing through a cybernetic army or guiding a giant turtle through a flooded castle, Split Fiction knows how to make every scene look and feel like an adventure.
Split Fiction is a fun-filled co-op adventure worth the chaos
After finishing Split Fiction, I asked my daughter what she thought. Her response? “We should play it again.” That about sums it up. Even with all the chaotic moments—her running ahead, me struggling to keep up, both of us yelling when we mistimed a puzzle—Split Fiction was a blast from start to finish. It’s the kind of game that makes co-op feel rewarding, not just because of the fun mechanics, but because it pushes you to actually work together.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Every level introduces new gameplay mechanics, keeping the experience fresh. | SSome sections may frustrate casual players with tricky platforming and combat. |
| Mio and Zoe’s personalities evolve naturally, making their journey enjoyable. | Some levels overstay their welcome or drag on too long. |
| Side Stories add unique, often hilarious mini-adventures that add to the experience. | Weak main villain. |
| The game encourages teamwork with clever puzzles and complementary abilities. |
Hazelight Studios has built on what made It Takes Two great and delivered something even more ambitious. The variety is ridiculous in the best way, constantly shifting mechanics and set pieces to keep things fresh. It’s not perfect—some sections drag, the villain is forgettable, and the camera occasionally gets in the way—but those are minor bumps in what’s otherwise an incredible ride.
Overall assessment of Split Fiction
Gameplay: 4.5/5
Graphics: 4.5/5
Sound: 4/5
Lasting appeal/Replayability: 4.5/5
Overall rating: 4.4/5 (88%)
If you have a co-op partner who’s up for the challenge, Split Fiction is absolutely worth playing. Just be prepared for a little friendly frustration along the way.
